Excerpt from the Bral Sun Weekly (a Knights of Ridder news outlet)
Bralians have been disturbed by the recent arrival of an unusual race. A colony of Aspis, large weevil-like insects, have settled in Gods' Marbles. Miners in that asteroid field report that the Aspis arrived in a huge box-shaped vessel. There have been no further sightings of this ship.
The Aspis have based themselves in a small cluster of asteroids. The asteroids were purchased from House Zudrik for an undisclosed sum by Teller Fastbuck, a halfling apparently acting as an agent for the Aspis. Bralians will recall Fastbuck's involvement in last year's Giff Bowl ticket scandal.
House Zudrik refused comment for this story other than noting the asteroids in question were once mines long ago tapped out and deemed unsuitable for farming.
The Aspis have apparently woven various asteroids together using infinity vine and other spacial flora to create an artificial liveworld complete with its own atmosphere. Rock Hoppers are avoiding the area. Our reporters were unable to gain admittance due to the flurry of missiles that blanketed our vessel.
Pest controller Artho Gaster suspects that the undulating mass of plant life is riddled with tunnels and chambers through which the insectmen crawl. One large passage, concealed by a tapestry of vines, has been observed as a port for an Aspis vessel. This is a worn, but still rugged, turtle ship (apparently with standard armament). Once a week this vessel leaves the Aspis enclave and docks at Bral. The ship's power source is unknown and no identifiable helmsmen have been noted.
Disembarking from the turtle each visit are 2-20 Aspis drones and 3-10 giant ants. The ants act as laborers and porters. They are led by a drone wearing a helmet-like device. As this drone carries out all communications with other species, the headgear may facilitate language capabilities, although some drones have been known to speak crude and limited phrases in Common, according to the wizard Gamalon. It is not known whether the same drone has worn the headgear at each visit as they all look alike.
The Aspis apparently produce glues, corrosives, cleansers, and other plant-based chemicals. However, their most popular products are perfumes and scented air fresheners. The perfumes in particular are all the rage in Bral's high society. These products are sold in a small shop on Charthouse Street operated by Fastbuck. The Aspis have purchased little in return, apparently collecting their wealth within their base. The Aspis seem to favor gemstones as currency.
No one is sure from where these creatures have come. The explorer and scholar Euhemerus claims to have seen two Entomosians of the herder variety amongst the giant ants. The insects of the sphere Entomos are highly intelligent and frequently of the giant variety. Entomosian giant ants have limbs with adaptable manipulators capable of using tools. Euhemerus also notes that the Aspis base probably contains a cow and as many as 60 drones and 100 larvae. If this is true, it appears the Aspis are here to stay.
Finally, we close this story with the whispered rumors of various Bralians on the street:
